The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency has reopened six iron and steel manufacturing companies in the Odogunyan Industrial Corridor of Ikorodu after confirming they had complied with environmental standards following their recent closure.
The affected companies were African Steel Mills Ltd, Pulkit Alloy and Steel Ltd, LandCraft Industries Ltd, Sunflag Steel Nigeria Ltd, Gemini Steel Nigeria Ltd and Top Steel Nigeria Ltd.
In a statement issued on Thursday, LASEPA General Manager, Dr Tunde Ajayi, said the firms were allowed to resume operations after a comprehensive compliance assessment confirmed they had implemented corrective measures to address the environmental violations that prompted their closure.
The companies were sealed on July 27 after an enforcement operation uncovered excessive emissions of brown and black dust, mill scale, shredded dust and other particulate pollutants considered harmful to air quality and public health.
According to Ajayi, the agency signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the companies before lifting the enforcement order, committing them to full compliance with environmental laws and operational guidelines.
He said the firms also agreed to implement all corrective measures outlined in the agreement to ensure environmentally responsible operations.
Ajayi explained that the enforcement action followed data from LASEPA’s real-time air quality monitoring network, which detected elevated pollution levels within the Odogunyan Industrial Corridor.
He said the agency’s monitoring systems triggered immediate inspections after recording abnormal pollution levels in the area.
The LASEPA boss noted that the companies are now required to install and maintain efficient filtration systems on their furnaces to reduce emissions and ensure proper disposal of industrial waste in line with approved environmental standards.
He added that the agency has stationed a technical team permanently in the industrial corridor to monitor compliance and provide technical support to the companies.
Ajayi warned that prolonged exposure to fine particulate matter could lead to respiratory illnesses and other health complications, stressing that continuous monitoring remains essential to protecting residents living near industrial facilities.
He reaffirmed LASEPA’s commitment to sustained environmental surveillance, saying enforcement teams would remain on the ground to ensure industries operate in compliance with environmental regulations.
Also speaking, the newly appointed Zonal Head of Ikorodu I, Taiwo Olumuyiwa, urged the companies to strengthen their environmental management systems by adopting cleaner production methods, improving waste management practices and reducing emissions to promote a healthier environment.
